Is gender dysphoria a mental disorder? Should this be cause for disqualification?

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 06:20:11 -0400

It is a simple question, straight forward, and beyond "taking offense" to. You can replace the words "gender dysphoria" with "bi-polar disorder" and still answer it. So..... Should this mental condition be cause for disqualification? If not, then why exactly (please no, "No harm no foul" type of answers - WHY?)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 6:35 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 06:35:39 -0400

SFC Nikhil Kumra Please explain why "No harm no foul" answers are not acceptable. It would seem to me that the wording of your question indicates that you think "this mental condition" should be cause for disqualification. Please explain your reasoning.

Response by SSG Patricia King made Jul 2 at 2015 6:54 AM

SSG Patricia King — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 06:54:49 -0400

Great question! You need look no further than the DSM-V. Yes it is a disorder. But your question has to go a little deeper. Firstly not everyone who is transgender suffers from dysphoria. Dysphoria is the depression that can accompany being trans, not being trans itself.
Next. Assessions and currently serving are 2 different animals. Should we let someone enter the mil who has dysphoria, tough call. But for those who are serving it's different. Remember being trans is lifelong, dysphoria is not. Soldiers can develop anxiety disorder, and if it's manageable we allow them to serve, same with a depression disorder. So no, I don't think dysphoria itself should be grounds for discharge.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jul 2 at 2015 7:34 AM

SGT William Howell — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 07:34:10 -0400

Yep, DISQUALIFIED! If they are a whack job why would you take them? We disqualify people for missing fingers. Why in the world would you take somebody because they have a MENTAL DISORDER? Because they are different? Listen you yourself. It is the military, not a social club. Why would you even post this?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 2 at 2015 9:00 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:00:41 -0400

No. And, it if is now SSG Patricia King SFC Nikhil Kumra, it is likely not happening much within the ranks, as these decisions (In the Army) have been moved to a high level of the Command to decide. This, too me, signals the policy is changing, and no one wants to do anything that is ill advised. MEPS standards, could be different than those used for Soldiers already in the ranks.

Response by SSG Sean Gallagher made Jul 2 at 2015 9:18 AM

SSG Sean Gallagher — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:18:15 -0400

Yes. That type of mental illness would put lives at risk on the battlefield.

Response by SPC Tiffany Ivanov made Jul 2 at 2015 3:46 PM

SPC Tiffany Ivanov — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:46:35 -0400

This was a topic I was discussing the other day with Dr. Kathy Ledlie, retired airforce psychologist. It was my understanding that, despite being a preexisting condition, bi-polar disorder isnt cause for separation as long as there are no issues with job performance. A soldier I will leave unnamed was just diagnosed with severe delayed PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, but just reenlisted because she is self referred to Behavioral Health and is excellent at her job as a medic. It does not affect her job AMD she is highly functioning in nearly every area of her life because she was proactive in identifying the problem and situations that may be problematic. I hope this helps. I can also put you in contact with a SME for further inquiry.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 5 at 2015 10:58 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 10:58:16 -0400

SFC Nikhil Kumra, while I am obviously not a SME either, a quick Google search of "gender dysphoria mental disorder" does state that it is indeed a mental disorder. BUT, like many other posters have stated, particularly SSG Patricia King (who is most definitely a SME) I don't necessarily think it's cause for disqualification.

My thought process is this (besides "no harm no foul" LOL): At one time homosexuality was considered a mental disorder. There were also other "conditions" that made one ineligible for military service, or made one eligible for only segregated service. For example when blacks and other ethnic minorities could only serve in certain MOS's/ratings, females couldn't serve in combat roles, war ships, fly fighter jets, etc. and the list could go on for a while. We could probably write an entire paper just listing things like these and not actually discussing them.

What I'm getting at is, as we as people mature and evolve (yes I consider this a step in evolution), we come to realize that what we once thought of as a mental disorder that can be cured by lobotomies, shock treatment, and medication are no longer ethical or even a mental disorder. It is a matter (in my opinion) of not only helping the person suffering (in this case) from gender dysphoria come to terms with who they are and also help them to realize their potential, but to train those of us who aren't like this (or think they're "crazy") to realize that they are people just like we are who deserve respect and understanding.